I think there are 2 issues. The first being 2000 miles late for an oil change, seems just wrong to me for several reasons. First, my dealer made a huge point to me that BMW won't pay for the free service oil change if it is even 1 mile before the OBC says it is time. They can't realistically expect people to be there at the exact mileage, especially when it can be a several HOUR drive to the dealership for some people. Besides, didn't the OP say they STILL didn't change the oil when he was there? They "topped it off". If they were concerned about being late, wouldn't they have changed it? Or did I miss something? This stinks, in my opinion. It sounds like the "bad gas" method of avoiding warranty service where they just find an excuse for not having to pay for something.

The second issue is that the car was 3 quarts low of oil! I'll be honest. I could do a better job of monitoring oil use, but I pay to have mine changed every 4000 miles, and they have never mentioned that is was low. I'll do better, and so should the hgiljr. I'm with benibiker. It could have been a lot worse. Wasn't it making weird noises!?! It was missing 60% of it's oil!!! That was a mistake, and possibly gives BMW the out they seem to be looking for to avoid warranty costs. On the other hand, They don't provide an oil pressure guage, and no "low oil" light ever came on. Also, if they really didn't change the oil the first time, and it took another year or 2 for the turbocharger to fail, there might be an argument. It depends on how far they think you will push to get it fixed under warranty.

 

OK I'm getting the picture here. 1. The engine light comes on and the car's making a cold start noise so he takes it in. 2. Some bozo decides that it's the turbo making the noise, maybe your fault for a late oil change, so they clear the codes (??), run 3 quarts of oil through the lines to clear them (the car was not low on oil the begin with) and then they say everything's cool, it's just a cold start thingy go home. That whole deal reeks of not knowing jack. 3. He drives off into the sunset and the car has low power and the light comes on again. That about right hgiljr? I'd be documenting the bejeezus out of this deal because it sounds like the dealership is pretty lost. As for the late oil change voiding the warranty, that IMO, is bunk. My Mini didn't qualify for its first oil change until it had 22,000 miles on it, and for the second one at 34,000, so they're OK with that and the warranty deal. Secondly, if your warranty was void they have to tell you that right then and there (20,000 miles) and put it in writing, not when you come in with a problem a year later (Oh, and by the way....). Thirdly, they still don't know what's wrong with your car. That's worrisome enough. Like I said earlier I'd be visiting another dealer if I were you. I have a bad feeling about where this is going for you.

 

Most dealers from what I have seen consider the OIL CHANGE due to be more of a window....my dealer would tell me that they could do it up to -200 miles...or 1 year. I would definitely keep a long paper trail and document everything....might help you....

 

BigNEWt you are on track... I am keeping track of all this. I do get that very same feeling that they are clueless. The same way they will tell someone up front that their warranty was voided due to an engine mod, they should have told me on the spot. Didn't think about that one. I will see what comes out of this last visit since the car is already there. If not off to another Mini Dealer, just that it is a nice drive from home.

 

straight from the mouse of a warranty person No a sia data car if the car would drive enough miles on average to have the service performed with in 60days of the current visit with the manager signing off we can do it for CSI reasons"

It definatly sounds like they let the fresh out of school kid take over on your car, sorry to say, but its more or less the truth. If you really feel that your turbo is shot, you can pull off the intake boot and see if you can spin the turbo impeller. if it spins freely and doesnt have any play in it, its good, if it is locked up and only moves about 1/4" MAKE SURE THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND COLD!!!!!! odds are if you are hearing a hellacious noise during startup and the feed line was clogged, your turbo is probably on its way out.

 

Currently there is no noise. Just the engine malfunction light. I'm not following you 56rfixr on this comment :
No a sia data car if the car would drive enough miles on average to have the service performed with in 60days of the current visit with the manager signing off we can do it for CSI reasons"

 

with CBS you can get an oil change under warranty within 2000 miles. When the valet gets your key read, it will show 'reccomended' on the printout, that means it can be done.

The sheet either says reccomended due, or overdue.

 

For just the average driver of ANY car it's recommended you check your oil and tire pressures at every fill-up. It's overkill but you'll prevent premature engine damage and premature tire wear.

 

Wednesday update...
This dealer is totally full of it and major disconnects. The service manager assistant calls me to find out why my car went back. Incredible. The car just sat there for 24 hours and nothing done. The assistant had no idea what occurred yesterday. Just that the key was given to him with the car being back. If this is the service manager, I can only imagine the technicians... I requested to speak to the service manager, assistant and me on one call to finalize this issue. Let's see if it happens.

 

I already told you: get the car out of there and to another dealer. In your area there has to be another one around. I've read similar threads from lots of people and they usually (not always) turn out the same. If they don't seem like they know what they're doing and if they seem to be making it your fault you're not in the right place. If the service manager doesn't call you and make it right soon get it outta there. Some dealers seem the take the attitude that if you're not forking over money they can jack you around. Not a good way to be.

 

Either find another dealer or go over his head to the store's GM.

There is no reason to allow them not to be responsive to your needs here. Either they're gonna take care of it or they're not, they need to just say so.

Bad dealers and incompetent service depts can do more to harm a car's reputation than a whole boatload of bad cars......

 

You need to get the proverbial ***** away from that dealer...go there take your car, call another "local" dealer and tell them your problem...and the nighmare and all about the bad service...plead with them to look at your car and fix the problem...when they say yes, say somthing like you are the best...so on an so on...thus when they fix your car free of charge they believe that have made a customer for life...and you'll probably be set for the next 2 years...or until something else breaks.

 

...you waited that long to change the oil???

I cringe at the mere thought of that. My car had 5 oil changes by that point...

 

I have to be honest that I am astounded by reading the intervals noted in this thread. I currently do not own a Mini but am considering one. I wouldn't imagine owning one of these cars and not changing the oil every 3,000 miles. I guess that would leave me with 7 oil changes at this point. Why would anybody wait so long? The single most important and inexpensive thing you can do is change your oil frequently, especially on a turbocharged car. Oil gets contaminated more and more for every mile driven. I don't want to digress from the dealer issue at hand but it seems like this debacle may have possibly been avoidable altogether?

Systemic to this, as a Mini owner...I consider somebody to be a sort of "enthusiast." Being an enthusiast is even more reason to see more frequent oil changes. Driving as many miles as you do....I suppose a Japanese car might be a better option? Let's be honest...you can change the oil every 5K miles and those cars will go forever all the while not burning much, if any, oil.

Anyhow, my intent was not to pontificate or lecture...good luck and I am curious to hear how you make out.

 

I'm still confused by the chain of events described in this whole thread, however the car is a lease car and the lease is up in just a matter of months, if the car is running properly I don't see the issue. The car is still running, and running properly, isn't it?

When the lease is up, you turn it in and go to the next car, lessons learned.

 

[quote=hgiljr;2954667]More and more reasons to change your oil more than the magic computer says you should...

 

I accept everyone comments as everyone is open to their opinions. Now if the car being a turbo charger should have more frequent oil changes, why isn't Mini USA/BMW lowering the mileage requirement on these engines. I am sure 50% of Mini Owners follow the maintenance request coming from the car's computer instead of just changing the oil every 3k miles esp. that these cars are supposed to be maintenance free including wear and tear. Thanks again

 

Each oil change and interval service costs MINI $$$$. So by stretching the intervals, it saves them money. "Free" maintenance plans cost a manufacturer a ton...especially when its all stuff that the consumer should really be responsible for doing.

Why do you think MBZ and Audi got rid of theirs?

 

I think a clear lesson to be learned here is that the internal combustion engine hasn't changed, just evolved from a technological standpoint. Whether one is naturally aspirated or force inducted, the song remains the same. The SINGLE most important and easy thing to do is your own oil changes. I don't know...maybe I am just old school but to me this is truly a "no brainer." This is scientific as well...not some cooked up maintenance plan geared to save a company money. If Mini came out and changed oil every 3 or 5 thousand miles...that would cost them millions of dollars and not be much to advertise about.

As my dad said to me a long time ago..."common sense prevails." Keep the motor satisfied with clean oil and, for the most part, she should treat you quite well.

 

Because we see doing so as a waste of money that can better be spent on other things.

And from my point of view, a true enthusiast is someone who has educated themselves enough to recognize the scam of over frequent oil changes that the oil companies have everyone believing.

 

That is not the only reason and probably the least of them. The EPA is probably higher up on the list than money. Also, the demand for longer oil intervals comes from Europe. In Germany the cost of a liter of oil is almost 30 Euro and an oil change is roughly 200 Euro. It is also not something that you can do at your house like we do here or take to a tune and lube. So, people there are asking for longer intervals and the car companies are listening. For a normal driver the extended oil time is fine... FYI, MINI USA offer the oil plan. In Germany and other countries they have to pay or buy a package for the oil changes.

 

And then you guys will be the same ones that will b!tch about repair costs down the road when items start failing due to wear...such as the turbo in this case.


Right back at you....how bout the scam of 15k mile oil change intervals?? LOL

Buying 5 quarts of quality synthetic and changing the oil yourself is not expensive at all. Don't see why you wouldn't do it. Numerous people have had oil analysis' done on their oil after changing, and it is pretty well accepted that based on those results, 15k is FAR too long. But its your car, your motor, your money, do as you please...since your an "educated" enthusiast.

 

Ok stop with the oil change diatribe already. There have been so many "how often should I change my oil--the computer says not until 20,000 miles" threads just look one up and go nutso. This person has a different problem and I'm interested in how it turns out. And no I didn't wait until 22,000, but I could have and not voided my warranty. I don't think he voided his warranty either, but some bozo at his dealership told him that.

 

Thanks Thumper.

Hmm, was going to post a long diatribe about the snipe, but think I'll just leave it alone.

I will suggest this. For those who believe in shorter oil change intervals, when you feel compelled to make that recommendation to someone, could you just post your reasons and basis for that strategy? Without resorting to accusations about those who follow a different strategy as being some no-brained, non-enthusiast, pending whiners, who don't have a clue. I hope that is not being done on purpose, but that is how it comes across. Maybe look up one of Robin Casady's recent posts on the subject - he's gotten it down to a pretty standard post that sets forth his argument for what he recommends without commenting on those who disagree. If your argument is strong enough on its merits, there is no need to tear down the alternative.

 

If this were my car I would get it the hell out of that dealership as fast as possible.

I would get it home and take an oil sample and send that off to blackstone labs and have them check the oil for contamination and also a total base number. This will tell you the metal content of the oil which will point to a mechanical failure and also the probable location of that failure. The total base number will give you a round about feeling of the health of the oil and when it was last changed.

If the turbo is bad and its a big if I would find a diesel mechanic in the area and have them rebuild the turbo and move on.

FWIW I have done extensive oil sampling on many cars and with todays modern synthetic and superior oil filters 15k is not unheard of for the way I drive all my cars.....LIKE I DUN STOLED IT!!!